Raymond John Leppard (born August 1, 1927) is a well-known British conductor and harpsichordist. In the 1960s Leppard played an instrumental role in the rebirth of interest in baroque music; in particular, he was one of the first major conductors to perform baroque opera. August 1st is the 213th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (214th in leap years), with 152 days remaining. ... 1927 was a common year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ... A conductors score and batons Conducting is the act of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. ... Instrumentalists who play the harpsichord are known as harpsichordists. ...

Leppard was born in London and grew up in Bath. He studied harpsichord and viola at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he also was active as a choral conductor and served as music director of the Cambridge Philharmonic Society. The viola is a stringed musical instrument which serves as the middle voice of the violin family, between the upper lines played by the violin and the lower lines played by the cello and double bass. ... Full name The College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity Motto Virtus vera nobilitas Virtue is true Nobility Named after The Holy Trinity Previous names Kings Hall and Michaelhouse (until merged in 1546) Established 1546 Sister College Christ Church Master Martin Rees, Baron Rees of Ludlow Location Trinity Street... REDIRECT [1] ...

In 1952 he made his London debut and then conducted his own Leppard Ensemble. He became closely associated with the Goldbrough Orchestra, which became the English Chamber Orchestra in 1960. He also gave recitals as harpsichordist, and was a fellow of Trinity College and a lecturer on music from 1958 to 1968. The English Chamber Orchestra is a small (hence chamber) orchestra based in London. ...

His interest in early music prompted him to prepare several realisations of scores from the period. While musicologists considered his editions controversial, his performances were important for introducing early operatic masterpieces to the general public. His production of Monteverdi's L'incoronazione di Poppea was presented at the Glyndebourne Festival under his direction in 1962. In the following years he subsequently prepared more operas by Monteverdi, as well as operas by Cavalli. Glyndebourne is a country house near Lewes in East Sussex, England. ...

In November 1969, he made his USA debut conducting the Westminster Choir and New York Philharmonic, at which occasion he also appeared as soloist in the Haydn's D major Harpsichord Concerto. In 1973 he became principal conductor of the BBC Northern Orchestra (later the BBC Philharmonic) in Manchester, a position he retained until 1980. The New York Philharmonic is an American orchestra based in New York City. ... (Franz) Joseph Haydn (in German, Josef; he never used the Franz) (March 31, 1732 – May 31, 1809) was a leading composer of the classical period. ... The BBC Philharmonic is a professional symphony orchestra based in Manchester, United Kingdom. ... Manchester is a city in the North West of England. ...

Leppard has also conducted Britten's Billy Budd at the Metropolitan and San Francisco Operas, Alceste and Alcina at the New York City Opera. He has also conducted at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden and in Paris, Hamburg, Santa Fe, Stockholm, and Geneva. Edward Benjamin Britten, Baron Britten of Aldeburgh (November 22, 1913 – December 4, 1976) was a British composer, conductor and pianist. ... Billy Budd is an English language opera by Benjamin Britten, first performed in 1951. ... A full house at the old Metropolitan Opera House, seen from the rear of the stage, at the Metropolitan Opera House for a concert by pianist Josef Hofmann, November 28, 1937. ... San Francisco Opera (SFO) is the second largest opera company in North America. ... Alceste is an opera by Christoph Willibald Gluck. ... Alcina is an opera composed by George Frideric Handel for his first season at the Royal Opera House at Covent Garden. ... The New York City Opera (NYCO) is New York Citys second opera company (after the Metropolitan Opera). ... The Floral Hall of the Royal Opera House The Royal Opera House is a performing arts venue in London. ... The Hamburg State Opera (in German: Hamburgische Staatsoper) is one of the leading opera companies in Germany. ...

At Glyndebourne, he conducted the world premiere of Nicholas Maw's Rising of the Moon. From 1987-2001, Leppard was the music director of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. For 2004-2006 he is serving as Music Advisor to The Louisville Orchestra.

Raymond Leppard has been honoured by The Queen with the CBE. In 1973 the Republic of Italy conferred upon him the title of Commendatore della Republica Italiana for services to Italian music.